Fun Valentine's Day Ideas for Parents and Families in Sydney

By Serina Hajje, ellaslist

Valentine’s Day can be an exhausting day for parents trying to figure out how to spend a perfect day that will also keep the kids happy. We’ve come up with some quirky, easy and fun ideas for Valentines’s Day that will satisfy everyone. If you have a babysitter on hand then we’ve got some unique experiences that will mark this year’s Valentine’s Day different from the rest.

Cruise Your Way to Romance

When: Tuesday 14 February 7pm – 10pm
Where: King Street Wharf, Darling Harbour
Cost: $49 (+BF) includes complimentary champagne on arrival Pre-book online here.
There’s something so romantic about being on the water at night. Make Valentines Day a romantic one aboard Seadeck cruise around the beautiful Sydney Harbour with 360 degree views of the city lights.

Source: Seadeck 

Cupid’s Undie Run

When: 19 February 
Where: From Hyde Park to Opera Bar
More Info Here.
Raising money to cure a nasty genetic disorder for the Children’s Tumour Foundation of Australia seems like a great way to spend your Valentine’s Day morning. Run for 1.5 km to raise money at and then relax and enjoy the 10:00 am after-party at Opera Bar! Be sure to register before you run.

Kid Friendly Valentine Movies

If you’re in the mood to relax and lounge around the house with a nice large cup of coffee, then we’ve got a list of movies that the kids can watch with you:
1. Sound of Music
2. Tangled/most Disney movies
3. Enchanted
4. The Princess Bride
5. WALL-E

If you have a babysitter, then check out some of these movies:
1. La La Land will be playing at Centennial Park’s Moonlight Cinema. Check out the details here.
2. La La Land is also playing at Ben and Jerry’s Open Air Cinema Bondi. Check out the details here.
3. Fifty Shades Darker
4. Lion
5. Beauty and the Beast

Valentine’s Picnic

Picnics are always a great way to spend the day, and it lets the kids run around while you get a few minutes of relaxation in one of Sydney’s stunning parks. We made a list of the best parks across Sydney’s suburbs that are perfect for a Valentine’s Day Picnic.

Valentine’s Day Crafts and Cakes

Get creative and make simple Valentine cards with red hearts. Open up some paint and have some messy fun, do hand butterflies or finger decorations. They can trace their hand and cut out a hand shaped card with a simple “I love you”.
Then crack open the cook book and make some delicious meals and sweets:
1. heart shaped cakes, cookies or cupcakes with heart decorations
2. heart pancakes
3. fruit snacks: use cookie cutters to cut heart shapes out of fruits

Tropfest

When: Saturday 11 February, 12pm
Where: Parramatta Park
Cost: FREE
Tropfest has a brand new location! After some bad luck at Centennial Park you are now invited to head west and spend a day on the lawns of Parramatta Park and enjoy the quirky and entertaining films. There will also be live music, entertainment, food and drinks, red carpet arrivals and awards ceremony.  Click here for more info on Tropfest.

Valentine’s Day without the Kids

If you have the kids with a babysitter then you’ll love these unique and fun Valentine’s Day ideas.

WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo Valentine’s Day Dinner

When: Tuesday 14 February
Time: 6.30pm to 10pm
Cost: $300 per couple
Book Here.
Few things are cuter than koalas and kangaroos, they make anyone feel happy. This makes them the perfect dinner companions while you sip a glass of bubbly. Canapés and drinks are served on arrival alongside the kangaroos and wallabies in Kangaroo Walk-About. Enjoy an intimate candlelit dinner and desert for two on Koala Rooftop under the stars and surrounded by iconic koalas, and enjoy special keeper talks throughout the evening. And don’t forget the stunning view of the Darling Harbour!

Sydney SEA LIFE Aquarium Valentine’s Day Dinner

When: Tuesday 14 February
Time: 7pm – 10.30pm
Cost: $175pp ($350 per couple)
Book Here.
Dine among the fishes! Surrounded by the serene beauty of the world’s largest Great Barrier Reef exhibit, spend your Valentine’s Day exploring the Sydney Aquarium with canapés and drinks upon arrival at Penguin Expedition. Then enjoy an intimate 2 course dinner and three hour drinks package.

Luna Park Valentine’s Day Dining

When: Sunday 12 February and Tuesday 14 February 
Cost: $499 per couple
Book Here.
Dine in the transformed Ferris Wheel at Luna Park and look over the stunning harbour. Enjoy a glass of champagne and amuse bouche on arrival, a decadent three course meal with matching wines, served to you in your private ferris wheel carriage and some of the most spectacular dining views available in Sydney.

Shoot Cupid’s Arrow

When: Every Saturday and Sunday (morning and afternoon sessions)
Where: Sydney Olympic Park 
Cost: $24 per person
Book Here.
Do something different as a couple and sign up for these archery classes at Sydney Olympic Park. Discover the secret to shooting a bow and arrow in this one and a half hour program, designed to give participants the necessary skills to use a bow and arrow with confidence in a fun and social atmosphere. There’s lots of other activities for active couples at the park, including bike riding, trapeze, tennis, wetland walks and more!